Gift of Richard D. Hubbard, 1860.3.0 © 2014 The Connecticut Historical Society.

Agave Barnumniana Humbugiensis

Dateprobably 1850-1855

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 9 1/16 x 7 7/8in. (23 x 20cm)
Sheet (height x width): 18 1/8 x 13 1/2in. (46 x 34.3cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of Richard D. Hubbard

DescriptionCaricature of P.T. Barnum as a plant. A plant, shaped like an agave or an aloe, grows in a large round pot. A portrait of a man, P.T. Barnum, is at the top of the central leaf. The leaves are inscribed, from left to right, "ANNIHILATOR" "FEJEE MERMAID" "WOOLY HORSE" "MUSEUM" "JOYCE HEATH" "TOM THUMB" "JENNY LIND" "MAINE LAW". A sketch map on the flower pot is labeled "AMERICA" "EUROPE".

Object number1860.3.0

InscribedOn recto, beneath image, printed in black ink, "AGAVE BARNUMNIANA HUMBUGIENSIS, / OR / American Aloe, / Recently exhibited in Connecticut, where it suffered from exposure. It was originally found there, / has been long preserved in a Green-house near the park in New York, cultivated by the Insane and latterly by Maine-iacs. / The leaves are a deep green bordered with Gold. A new one is added every year, some which / decay rapidly before maturity, as have the two lower leaves of this specimen. / Flowers once in a century. Just flowered."

On verso, upper left, in pencil, "From R.D. Hubbard / March 1860"; lower right, in pencil, accession numberNotesSubject Note: Some of the inscription on the leaves refer to attractions at Barnum's Museum in New York. The "Maine Law" refers to Barnum's support of the Temperance Movement.

Subject Terms